Win 2000 for home use?

[japniz]

Hi,

Am not keen on using XP with its one-off registration security system and am considering Win 2000 instead.

Is there wide software support for the OS? Would Win 98 games run okay, for example?

Any thoughts much appreicated.

P4 1.8, 256DDR 333, Radeon 9000 128MB DDR, 40gig, S.Blaster 16pci, Supra 56k, Win98SE, MIS 645 Ultra mobo + Sis 645 chipset

[Xavier_Ao]

Win2k would work just fine. (You'd obviously want the Pro. version, as the server versions are way to pricy.)

I've used it on my home system before. XP is more or less a spiffed-up Win2k in many aspects, anyhow.

You should be able to play games with no problem, and if you have problems playing games you played on Win98, you can run the program in Compatibility Mode.
In a [very] rare occurance, I've had to run the install program for a game, in Compatibility Mode.

Your system specs look fine, but I'd recommend two things:
look into more RAM -raising to 512 wouldn't hurt,
and the soundcard -an SB16 does the job, but one of the newer SB soundcards would be better, for music and gameplay.

Always glad to help!
Josh /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

You know why they called it <font color=blue>Windows</font color=blue>?
Because as soon as it opens, all the bugs get in.

[japniz]

Thanks, Josh. That's good to know. That said, I've just seen an XP upgrade going for around £37, which I might chance my arm on, despite the reservations on the activation process (I like to reinstall every six months or so as there is a lot of toing and froing on my hard disk and I'm not sure if XP allows this after one has activated it).

Yes, Win98's only good for 512mb but a new os, either one, allows more. Interesting about the soundcard, something I'd not really consdered before. I'll look into it.
Thanks again.




P4 2.8, 512DDR 333, Radeon 9200 256MB DDR, 160gig, S.Blaster 16pci, Supra 56k, Win98SE, MSI 645 Ultra mobo + Sis 645 chipset

[Xavier_Ao]

As a typical recommendation, usually try to do a clean install. (You can, even with an Upgrade CD)

Adding and removing software isn't a big deal. (Just use a registry cleaner to make sure you don't get too much crap in there)

If you're adding/removing hardware frequently, then it may become an issue with XP, as any major hardware changes may require you to do the Activation all over again.

Always glad to help!
Josh /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

You know why they called it <font color=blue>Windows</font color=blue>?
Because as soon as it opens, all the bugs get in.

[The_Dude]

I use 2k at home, play games too no problem. Compatibility mode isn't enabled by default on 2k so here's how to do it.
Compatibility Mode

Insert your Windows 2000 CD. Open the Support folder on the CD.
Double click the APCOMPAT.EXE file. This will load the Application Compatibility utility.
In the Start the following program tab enter the location of the setup/executable file you wish to run, e.g. C:\Sin\Sin.exe.
Select the Operating System you need to use, e.g. Windows 98.
Click Ok to attempt to run the program.

OR

Compatibility Mode

This is a function built into Windows® XP, and added to
Windows® 2000 as of service pack 2.

(To enable it on Windows® 2000, execute the command
''regsvr32 %systemroot%\apppatch\slayerui.dll''
from the Run prompt or a command console(without the quotes). You will need
Administrator priveledges to enable this. Service Pack 2 or higher must be
installed. This will add a tab to execution shortcuts called 'Compatibility'.
You may want to check first to see if compatibility mode is already available.
Do not do this in Windows® XP -- you already have it active by default.)

[Xavier_Ao]

I don't recall having to do that to enable Compatibility Mode on my Win2k machine...
I swear it was already there and enabled, and that was before I even installed the Service Packs.

Always glad to help!
Josh /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

You know why they called it <font color=blue>Windows</font color=blue>?
Because as soon as it opens, all the bugs get in.

[The_Dude]

I could have sworn it installed on it's own once on mine too, but it's never done it again. I've done a lot of installs over the years since 2k came out and I always end up having to enable (install) it manually.

[jdharm]

"...I've done a lot of installs over the years since 2k came out and I always end up having to enable (install) it manually. "

Same here.

Josh
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.jdharm.net>www.jdharm.net</a>